Genesis 2:3

KJV

And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

KJV (with Strong's)

And God {H430} blessed {H1288} the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, and sanctified {H6942} it: because {H3588} that in it he had rested {H7673} from all his work {H4399} which God {H430} created {H1254} and made {H6213}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce.

Berean Standard Bible

Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished.

American Standard Version

And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Genesis 2:3 serves as the divine capstone to the creation week, detailing God's sovereign act of blessing and sanctifying the seventh day. This pivotal verse establishes a foundational pattern of sacred rest, not merely as a cessation of labor, but as a deliberate designation of time infused with divine favor, marking the perfect completion of God's creative work and setting a precedent for all subsequent time, highlighting His satisfaction and the inherent goodness of His finished cosmos.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows the six days of God's exhaustive creative activity, detailed from [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "The Creation Account Begins") through [Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "The Completion of Creation"). Having spoken all things into existence and declared His work "very good" in [Genesis 1:31](/genesis/1-31 "God's Declaration of 'Very Good'"), the narrative transitions from the *making* of creation to the *meaning* of its completion. Genesis 2:3 acts as the theological climax, establishing the significance of the seventh day as a divine institution, distinct from the preceding days of formation. It bridges the gap between the cosmic creation account and the more detailed account of humanity's origins and early life in [Genesis 2:4-25](/genesis/2-4-25 "The Account of Adam and Eve").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, creation myths often depicted gods as struggling, weary, or in need of rest due to exertion or conflict. The Genesis account, however, presents a singular, omnipotent God who creates effortlessly through His Word. His "rest" is not born of fatigue but of satisfaction in a perfectly completed work. The concept of a designated day for rest was revolutionary in a world driven by continuous labor, laying the groundwork for the later Israelite Sabbath. This divine pattern of work and rest would have stood in stark contrast to the chaotic, polytheistic narratives of surrounding cultures, emphasizing the order, purpose, and benevolence of the God of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** Genesis 2:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes. It underscores the **Sovereignty and Transcendence of God** as the ultimate Creator who alone has the authority to bless and hallow time. It introduces the foundational concept of **Sacred Time**, distinguishing a specific period for divine purposes, which foreshadows the later Sabbath commandment. Furthermore, it highlights the **Perfection and Sufficiency of God's Creation**, as His rest signifies that His work was complete and flawless, requiring no further additions. This verse also subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Pattern for Humanity**, implying that humanity, made in God's image, is also intended to participate in this rhythm of work and rest, as seen in the broader narrative of [Genesis 1-2](/genesis/1 "Genesis Chapters 1-2 - Creation and Early Humanity").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **blessed (Hebrew, _bârak'_):** (H1288) This primitive root means "to kneel," and by implication, "to bless God (as an act of adoration)" or "man (as a benefit)." In Genesis 2:3, when God "blessed" the seventh day, He actively imparted divine favor, intrinsic goodness, and fruitfulness to it. This act imbued the day with a unique quality, distinguishing it as a source of benefit and well-being, reflecting God's benevolent nature in extending His favor not only to His creatures but also to a specific segment of time.
* **sanctified (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** (H6942) This primitive root means "to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)," "to set apart as holy," or "to consecrate." God's act of "sanctifying" the seventh day signifies His authoritative declaration of its holiness. It is a divine act of separation, designating this day for a unique, sacred purpose, marking it as uniquely His own and intended for His purposes and the flourishing of His creation. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over time, as He alone defines and hallows particular moments.
* **rested (Hebrew, _shâbath'_):** (H7673) A primitive root meaning "to repose, i.e., desist from exertion." This is the root from which the word "Sabbath" derives. God's "rest" here does not imply weariness or exhaustion, as if He needed to recover from labor. Instead, it signifies the absolute completion, perfection, and cessation of His creative work. God ceased His activity because His work was finished, flawless, and required no further additions or improvements. This divine cessation provides the fundamental *reason* for the blessing and sanctification, establishing a pattern of rest *after* the successful completion of labor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And God blessed the seventh day,"**: God, the supreme Creator, actively bestowed His divine favor upon the seventh day. This blessing signifies an impartation of inherent goodness and a unique quality, setting this day apart as a conduit of divine benefit and well-being for creation. It is an act of divine benevolence, extending God's favor to a specific segment of time.
* **"and sanctified it:"**: Following the blessing, God declared the seventh day holy, setting it apart as sacred and distinct from the other six days. This act of sanctification is a divine designation, marking the day as uniquely belonging to God and intended for His special purposes. It signifies more than a mere cessation of activity; it is God's authoritative declaration of its sacred status.
* **"because that in it he had rested from all his work"**: The reason for the blessing and sanctification is God's "rest" on this day. This "rest" (Hebrew _shabat_) is not born of fatigue but of the absolute completion and perfection of His creative work. God ceased His activity because His work was finished, flawless, and required no further additions or improvements. This divine cessation establishes the fundamental pattern of rest *after* the successful completion of labor.
* **"which God created and made."**: This concluding phrase emphasizes the comprehensiveness and totality of God's creative endeavor. The dual verbs "created" (_bara'_) and "made" (_'asah_) underscore the multifaceted nature of God's work, encompassing both the bringing forth of something new from nothing (creation *ex nihilo*) and the shaping or forming of existing material. The rest on the seventh day is thus a profound celebration and acknowledgment of this complete, perfect, and all-encompassing work, from the vast cosmos to the intricate details of life.

#### Literary Devices
Genesis 2:3 employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truths. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the description of God "resting," which attributes a human-like action to the divine. This is not to suggest God experiences fatigue, but rather to communicate His satisfaction and the cessation of His creative activity in terms comprehensible to humanity. The **Repetition** of "God" and the emphasis on "all his work which God created and made" serves to underscore the totality, perfection, and divine origin of creation. The very concept of the "seventh day" carries significant **Symbolism**, as the number seven often represents completion, perfection, and divine fullness in biblical numerology. Furthermore, God's declarative acts of "blessing" and "sanctifying" exemplify **Divine Fiat**, where reality is established and designated by God's authoritative word and action.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Genesis 2:3 is foundational to understanding God's nature and His design for creation. It profoundly reveals God as the sovereign Creator whose work is utterly complete and perfect, requiring no further effort or improvement. His rest is a declaration of divine satisfaction and ultimate authority over all He has made. This verse inaugurates the concept of sacred time, distinct from the ordinary flow of days, highlighting God's intrinsic design for a rhythm of work and rest. This pre-Mosaic institution of the Sabbath principle demonstrates God's benevolent concern for the well-being of His creation, particularly humanity, by establishing a pattern that invites participation in His ordered rhythm of life and worship. It serves as the theological bedrock for the later Sabbath commandment given at Sinai, rooting human rest in the divine pattern.

* [Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "The Ten Commandments: Remember the Sabbath Day")
* [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Promise of Sabbath Rest for God's People")
* [Mark 2:27](/mark/2-27 "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Genesis 2:3 calls believers to embrace a rhythm of rest, not as mere idleness, but as a sacred cessation rooted in God's own pattern of completion and satisfaction. By honoring periods of rest, whether a day, a season, or moments of quiet reflection, we acknowledge God's perfect and finished work, both in creation and, supremely, in redemption through Christ. This alignment with God's design fosters our physical, mental, and spiritual flourishing, reminding us that our identity and worth are not solely tied to our productivity. This divine blueprint encourages us to set apart time for worship, reflection, and renewal, trusting in the sufficiency of God's provision and anticipating the ultimate Sabbath rest that remains for the people of God in Christ. It invites us to cease from striving, to trust in God's completed work, and to find our peace in His perfect order.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "rest" as completion rather than exhaustion impact your view of His power and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways can you intentionally "bless" and "sanctify" a portion of your time each week, setting it apart for God's purposes and your own spiritual renewal?**
* **How does the principle of resting after work, as established in Genesis 2:3, challenge the modern cultural emphasis on constant productivity and busyness?**

### FAQ

**Does God truly "rest" as humans do?**

Answer: No, God's "rest" (Hebrew _shâbath_, H7673) in [Genesis 2:3](/genesis/2-3 "God's Rest on the Seventh Day") does not imply weariness, fatigue, or a need for recuperation, as if He were exhausted from His creative endeavors. Scripture explicitly affirms that God "faints not, neither is weary" ([Isaiah 40:28](/isaiah/40-28 "God Neither Faints Nor Is Weary")). Rather, His rest signifies the absolute completion and perfection of His creative work. He ceased from creation because it was finished, flawless, and required no further additions or improvements. It is a rest of divine satisfaction, a cessation of creative activity, and a declaration of the inherent goodness of all He had made, not a recovery from exertion.

**What is the difference between God "blessing" and "sanctifying" the seventh day?**

Answer: To "bless" (Hebrew _bârak_, H1288) the seventh day means God imbued it with His divine favor, making it inherently beneficial, prosperous, and a conduit of His goodness for creation. It is an act of divine impartation, bestowing positive qualities and well-being upon that specific period of time. To "sanctify" (Hebrew _qâdash_, H6942) it means God set it apart as holy, declaring it sacred and distinct from other days. It is an act of divine designation, marking the day as uniquely belonging to God and intended for His special purposes, elevating it to a sacred status. Together, these acts elevate the seventh day to a unique status of divine favor and holiness, making it a special time for both God and His creation.

**Is the Sabbath commandment from Genesis 2:3 still binding for Christians today?**

Answer: While [Genesis 2:3](/genesis/2-3 "God's Rest on the Seventh Day") establishes the foundational principle of a divinely appointed day of rest and holiness, the specific Mosaic Sabbath commandment given to Israel ([Exodus 20:8-11](/exodus/20-8-11 "The Sabbath Commandment")) is understood differently in the New Covenant. Christians recognize the underlying principle of rest, worship, and devotion to God, but the legalistic observance of a specific day (Saturday) is not universally mandated. The New Testament emphasizes that Christ is the fulfillment of the Sabbath, offering true rest from the burden of sin and legalism ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Jesus' Invitation to Rest")). Believers enter into God's rest through faith in Christ's finished work ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Promise of Sabbath Rest")). The emphasis shifts from a legalistic day to a spiritual reality and a pattern of life, often expressed through corporate worship on the Lord's Day (Sunday) in remembrance of Christ's resurrection, signifying the new creation and the ultimate rest found in Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Genesis 2:3, with its establishment of a divine pattern of rest after completed work, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the original Sabbath pointed to God's finished work in creation, Christ embodies the true and ultimate rest for humanity, not merely from physical labor, but from the burden of sin and the futile striving for righteousness by works ([Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Jesus' Invitation to the Weary")). He is the Lord of the Sabbath ([Mark 2:28](/mark/2-28 "Jesus, Lord of the Sabbath")), who perfectly completed the work of redemption on the cross, declaring "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "Jesus' Cry of Completion on the Cross")). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ has accomplished all that is necessary for our salvation, allowing believers to cease from their own works and enter into God's eternal rest through faith in His finished work ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "The Promise of Sabbath Rest for God's People")). Thus, the Sabbath principle, inaugurated in creation, culminates in Christ, who is our peace, our true Sabbath rest, and the source of our spiritual flourishing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Leviticus 23:3

Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day [is] the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work [therein]: it [is] the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.

Ezekiel 20:12

Moreover also I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I [am] the LORD that sanctify them.

Mark 2:27

And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Luke 23:56

And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Exodus 31:13

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [ye] may know that I [am] the LORD that doth sanctify you.

Exodus 31:17

It [is] a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Exodus 34:21

Six days thou shalt work, but on the seventh day thou shalt rest: in earing time and in harvest thou shalt rest.